Choosing acne cleansers and face soaps.
Choosing acne cleansers and face soaps.
What's the big deal about washing your face? You slather on some soap, splash your skin with water, pat dry, and you're on your way.
For people with problem acne, however, skin care involves a little extra time and effort.
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If you have acne, choosing the right cleanser can help rid your skin of the bacteria that make their way into clogged hair follicles and lead to breakouts. A thorough cleaning also removes dead cells on the surface of your skin, which makes it easier for your acne medication to be absorbed.
To help control acne breakouts, look for a cleanser that is strong enough to remove dirt and keep skin clean. Avoid harsh face soaps that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Harsh cleansers and scrubbing will only leave you with red, irritated skin that can promote flare-ups of your existing acne.
You can ask your dermatologist to recommend a prescription or over-the-counter cleanser that works on acne-prone skin, but also pay careful attention to your daily acne skin care routine. Here are a few tips on choosing skin care products, and cleaning your skin to keep it looking its best.
You can buy an inexpensive over-the-counter cleanser at your local supermarket or drug store. Or, if you're willing to spend a little more, you can splurge on one of the high-end cleansers that are sold at your dermatologists' office. It's not how much you spend that's important, but how well the product works.
Some brands of face soap have a very alkaline pH, which can be irritating and drying on your skin. When shopping for cleansers that work well on acne-prone skin, here's what to look for:
For people with problem acne, however, skin care involves a little extra time and effort.
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If you have acne, choosing the right cleanser can help rid your skin of the bacteria that make their way into clogged hair follicles and lead to breakouts. A thorough cleaning also removes dead cells on the surface of your skin, which makes it easier for your acne medication to be absorbed.
To help control acne breakouts, look for a cleanser that is strong enough to remove dirt and keep skin clean. Avoid harsh face soaps that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Harsh cleansers and scrubbing will only leave you with red, irritated skin that can promote flare-ups of your existing acne.
You can ask your dermatologist to recommend a prescription or over-the-counter cleanser that works on acne-prone skin, but also pay careful attention to your daily acne skin care routine. Here are a few tips on choosing skin care products, and cleaning your skin to keep it looking its best.
Which Cleansers Should I Use?
You can buy an inexpensive over-the-counter cleanser at your local supermarket or drug store. Or, if you're willing to spend a little more, you can splurge on one of the high-end cleansers that are sold at your dermatologists' office. It's not how much you spend that's important, but how well the product works.
Some brands of face soap have a very alkaline pH, which can be irritating and drying on your skin. When shopping for cleansers that work well on acne-prone skin, here's what to look for:
- Choose a gentle, nonabrasive, and alcohol-free cleanser.
- Ask your dermatologist to help you find an acne cleanser that is appropriate for your acne treatment program. Look for an acne cleanser that matches your skin type -- oily, dry, or a combination of the two.
- Some acne cleansers and face soaps have added ingredients to fight acne and improve the skin's appearance. Medicated cleansers contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, sodium sulfacetamide, or benzoyl peroxide, which can help clear up skin while cleaning it. Salicylic acid helps clear blocked pores and reduces swelling and redness. Benzoyl peroxide exfoliates the skin and kills bacteria. Sodium sulfacetamide interferes with the growth of bacteria.
- To keep your skin hydrated, look for cleansers that contain emollients (petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil and ceramides) or humectants (glycerin), which hold moisture in your skin, or exfoliants (alphahydroxy acids) to smooth rough areas.
